After two games against college basketball bluebloods, on two coasts, Michigan State makes its home debut at 6:30 tonight (ESPN3.com) against Texas Southern in the Spartan Invitational.

The partial-round-robin event involves six teams, each of which plays four games during a 13-day span, ending with MSU’s Nov. 27 game at Eastern Michigan. All games will be at home sites, with the Spartans getting three home games, Texas Southern one, and the other four teams two apiece — EMU, IUPUI, Arkansas-Little Rock and Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Izzo will use the four games to start setting rotation patterns, which was difficult in the first two games because of foul trouble and premier opposition.

“We’ve got to start establishing roles,” Izzo said, “but I’m not sure of all the roles.”

After playing two of the top teams in the nation, Izzo warned against taking Texas Southern (1-1) lightly.

“Believe it or not, this may be the most athletic team we play all year,” he said.

The Tigers lost their opener to No. 11 Baylor, though they played without leading scorer Lawrence Johnson-Danner.

Johnson-Danner bounced back Tuesday, in his team’s Spartan Invitational opener, with six 3-pointers and 20 points in a 66-49 win against Eastern Michigan.

Winning is primary tonight, but self-evaluation is a close second for the Spartans, who haven’t had much time to assess where they stand after coast-to-coast travel and a day off Wednesday, after the Duke loss.

“But at least we have an idea that we can play with anybody — and a couple mistakes, we can get down 10 points real quick,” Izzo said.

Senior Draymond Green said that after a game on an aircraft carrier in San Diego and one in New York’s Madison Square Garden, traveling all the way down the street to Breslin Center is a welcome respite.

“We’ve played in two tough atmospheres and came up a little short in both of them,” he said. “But we can grow from those games. There were some positives, and there were some negatives that we can correct. But it’s definitely good to be back home and get back in front of the home crowd again.”

For Izzo, the key points are clear as the Spartans embark on a more manageable portion of the schedule.

“Continue to compete, I think that’s been good,” he said. “Continue to stay together, I think that’s been good. Cut down on turnovers and get our break going.”